Skip to main content

New research predicts growth of autonomous parking technology

New research by ABI Research forecasts that shipments of new cars featuring autonomous parking technologies to grow at 35 per cent CAGR between 2016 and 2026 and for revenues to likewise show growth at 29.5 per cent CAGR. ABI Research identifies three phases of autonomous parking, with each successive stage set to gradually displace the former and all three coexisting to some degree over the next decade. Ultimately, technology will reach a point in which the car parks itself entirely, with no driver assi
March 9, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
New research by 5725 ABI Research forecasts that shipments of new cars featuring autonomous parking technologies to grow at 35 per cent CAGR between 2016 and 2026 and for revenues to likewise show growth at 29.5 per cent CAGR.

ABI Research identifies three phases of autonomous parking, with each successive stage set to gradually displace the former and all three coexisting to some degree over the next decade. Ultimately, technology will reach a point in which the car parks itself entirely, with no driver assistance or presence within the car required. In Phase 1, the car will provide steering assistance with the driver still inside the vehicle and in control. Phase 2 shows autonomous parking with the driver outside the vehicle but still in control, and Phase 3 introduces autonomous valet parking in which the driver leaves the vehicle at the entrance of a car park. The car then parks itself and waits for the driver to summon it when it’s time to leave.

According to James Hodgson, research analyst at ABI Research, passive assistance from ultrasonic sensors and exterior cameras are becoming standard features in most new car models in developed regions. As more manufacturers turn toward more autonomous parking solutions, OEMs continue to heavily push for consumer education on the systems’ safety benefits and added convenience, to convince them of the value of the concept.

The 1765 American Automobile Association (AAA) recently published survey results that suggest that 80 per cent of American drivers believe their own parking abilities to be adequate. Only 25 per cent of respondents would trust a self-parking system to replace them in the parking manoeuvre.

“The market could see a spike in consumer adoption of autonomous parking technology if drivers are drawn by correlated lower insurance costs,” continues Hodgson. “Given the empirical evidence demonstrating the superiority of autonomous parking, cars fitted with such technologies may yield lower insurance premiums, as the market experienced with other ADASs, such as autonomous emergency braking.”

Phase 2 technologies are evident in the January 2016 launch of the Tesla OTA Summon auto park feature, as well as BMW’s recent launch of Remote Control Parking on flagship 7 Series in certain regions. While current Phase 2 technologies are limited in ability, as current car systems can only move the car forward and backward at a distance of a few meters and cannot turn the car, it is an important step forward in that it successfully parks the car with the driver removed.

“As the market moves toward the new future of driverless vehicles, parking will remain an important function, but the evolution could bring about big change,” concludes Hodgson.

“Car parks will theoretically not need to be close to the driver’s final destination once cars can park themselves without driver observation or control. This could signify larger social advantages for crowded areas, as inner cities may soon be able to reclaim parking spaces for other purposes. At the same time, the need for parking spaces may ultimately disappear altogether as shared driverless vehicles drop off and pick up customers in a near continuous way.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Intelematics JV to deliver connected car services to Europe
    January 11, 2016
    Following its recent expansion in the US, Australia-based Intelematics has entered into a joint venture with roadside assistance clubs the AA in the UK, ANWB in the Netherlands and ÖAMTC, the Austrian club, to establish Intelematics Europe and deliver new connected car services to the European market. The partnership between Intelematics and three of Europe’s largest motoring clubs will focus on the development of connected car services for the clubs and vehicle manufacturers – from information and ente
  • RFID Sensors 2017-2027
    March 6, 2017
    The general RFID market has seen substantial growth over the last few years, with successful public offerings and rapid growth in terms of the number of RFID tags sold, according to a new report by IDTechEx. Vendors are now exploring allied technologies with RFID sensors at the forefront of this. RFID sensors combine a sensors system (such as monitoring temperature, humidity, shock, pressure or moisture) with RFID communications. This has been enabled thanks to new chipsets, both HF (NFC) and UHF (RAIN)
  • Pivot Power: 'We need to rethink the EV customer experience'
    October 10, 2018
    Electric vehicles will increasingly become a key part of the mobility mix but charging infrastructure is currently patchy. Adam Hill talks to Matt Allen of Pivot Power about disruption, horses, slot machines – and the importance of customer experience. Electric vehicles (EVs) – including buses, taxis and cars for individual and shared use – are already a common sight on our roads. They are not yet ubiquitous. But that will come. There will be around 30 million electric cars in the world by 2030 (as they
  • London ‘needs next generation of infrastructure to compete’
    February 28, 2017
    Improving the capital’s infrastructure, through Crossrail 2, a new runway at Heathrow and East London river crossings, is key to the city’s future success and ability to compete, according to the latest CBI/CBRE London Business Survey. More than eight in ten of London’s companies see Crossrail 2 as being central to the capital’s successful expansion. Meanwhile, a similar number of firms think sticking to the Government’s current timetables for building Heathrow’s third runway is vital to London’s attractive